General help for overseas visitors to the Berg

Hy Ghaz, what you wrote about DBN or PMB is exactly what I am planning for our return from Bushman's Nek.

We'll have a stop at Sandton on our arrival in order to buy some stove gas, and then ... everybody told me to avoid Park Station, and the buses start from there.

Morad, we are planning our DGT next mid-october, you are wellcome you know.

flying.morad wrote: I am doing fine in Cape Town. Weather's good and I am about to climb Table Mountain.

If you can arrange logistics for it, try and get to Cape Point - and walk as far down the ridge as they let you go, I rate it as one of the most special spots in the area. It also isn't that far from Cape Town to Du Toits peak, which is one of the lowest Ultra-Prominence peaks not found on an island. Apparently it is quite a special one to climb (most certainly on my to-do list for when I am next in the area).

flying.morad wrote: Do you guys know if I can do the Tsitsikamma trail by just showing up ? I have a tent.

You have this track which may help you
www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=psiebitkdicydlqk&referrer=trackList

sorry to hear this. I think maybe we did not understand your plans correctly. Most South Africans would not consider walking down commissioner street ... if we had known this was your plan we would have advised you otherwise.

flying.morad wrote:

Do you guys know if I can do the Tsitsikamma trail by just showing up ? I have a tent.

Edit: The Otter Trail and the Tsitsikamma Trail are the same thing: The Otter Trail a +/-42km hike over 5 days between Storms River Mouth and Nature's Valley along the coastline, all inside the Tsitsikamma Nature Reserve. The Tsitsikamma Mountain Trail is a 6-day (60km) trail that goes between Nature's Valley & Storms River Mouth (or the other way too) but traverses inland to explore the mountains & kloofs; this hike can be done in either direction (Tsitsikamma Trail=Nature's Valley to Storms River Mouth; Otter Trail=Storms River Mouth to Nature's Valley).

Tsitsikamma Mountain Trail info here

Otter Trail info here

I have just contacted SAN Parks (Tsitsikamma Section) and they confirmed that it is not permissable to do the (Otter) trail on your own, using tents.

There is also a trail called the Outeniqua Trail over 7-days, sleeping in huts, which can be done in full or as a series of day hikes. From the SAN Parks website:

This spectacular trail can be conquered asa series of day walks or over a full seven day period, starting at Beervlei in the upper reaches of the Park and ending at Harkerville in the East between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay.

This trail is less well known and is therefore probably easier to book.
Contact 044-302 5600 for more info & reservations.
edit: cost of Outeniqua Trail is R77+R28 conservation levy=R105 per day.

flying.morad wrote: Hey all,

I am doing fine in Cape Town. Weather's good and I am about to climb Table Mountain.I'm not planning on letting this incident ruin my South African experience. And I will come back the Drakensberg.
Do you guys know if I can do the Tsitsikamma trail by just showing up ? I have a tent.
I will also try to do the Otter Trail but this is probably fully booked.

Cheers,

Hey Morad

Thanks for the email. I just responded and hopefully the details can lead to something special. If you can go check out the Leopard Trail I mentioned in the mail.

Be safe and have fun!
Kobus


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There is a 6 day hike in Swellendam (2 hrs from Cape Town). The hike follows the Langeberg in the Marloth National Park.

As far as I know, the Swellendam Trail has been closed for the last few years. With a tent, I'd recommend heading 3h North of Cape Town to the Cederberg wilderness area. It's similar to the Drakensberg in that you can pretty much hike and camp where you like. It also has a good trail network and some fantastic peaks to climb. The best access points for hiking are probably Algeria Forest Station and Sanddrif Campsite.

Thank you all for the amazing hep you've provided. This is a great community and I do appreciate your time and effort in helping me. I will look into all this information and keep you posted !